Bangalore  : Ruling BJP in Karnataka will be staging a state-wide agitation on October 18 in protest against the Union Government’s alleged non-cooperation in easing power problem in the state, BJP State General Secretary C T Ravi said today.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Ravi alleged that the Centre was not taking steps to supply coal needed for thermal plants which have stopped power generation due to shortage of coal leading to imposition of power cuts in the State.

He said due to Telangana agitation in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, the supply of coal had stopped leading to power cuts and the State government was not responsible for it.

Mr Ravi alleged that Union Minister for Energy Sushil Kumar Sinde was not showing interest in solving Karnataka government’s power problem.

”State has to get 1,596 MW of power from Central grid but it is getting only 1,200 MW. The Centre is showing stepmotherly treatement in this regard,” he alleged.

He urged Union Ministers from the State to bring pressure on the Centre to come to the rescue of the State.